NEWS # 030
Hi everyone!
Having arrived back in Lima, I've lots to do today. I rearrange my flights
to Fiji, or so I think! I also get around 10 kilos of stuff posted home. I then find Susanne at her
guest house and we agree to meet up that night.
Back at the hostel, I go out with Amanda and the crew for tea and beer.
Unfortunately, Katherine is flying and cannot be with us. Also, we aren't
able to make contact with Susanne so we just have to drown our sorrows in
copious quantities of free beer and cocktails! It's a hard life. Eventually
we get home a little the worse for wear.
The next morning and my flight is at 1135 am so I get checked in early.
I am due to fly to Caracas, via Quito and the uneventful flight deposits me
in Caracas at about five in the evening. It is really nice to be able to go
to the transit lounge and explain, in Spanish, that I need my luggage for my
connecting flight the next morning.
Getting checked in for the United
Airlines flight proves rather more challenging. Am told that someone will be
with me at 1830 but actually get checked in at 0630 the next morning!!!
Thankfully the check-in assistant is a surfer and I get upgraded and get my
board on the plane for free!
The flight to Los Angeles goes via Chicago, of all places, and I eventually
arrive in LA at six in the evening. I stay in a nice hotel, needing some
pampering, and have Thai food for tea. Whilst at the airport, I go to check
that my flight to Fiji, the next day, is okay, only to be told that I'm not on
it! Begging produces the correct response and I'm confirmed for the next
evening.
The next day I visit Fisherman's Village, in LA and I'm most amused to
listen to an American Beatles tribute band whilst I have lunch.
Check in for my Fiji flight goes smoothly and we leave at eight pm for the
eleven and a half hour flight to the Islands.
Sit next to crazy East London girl called Kharren and watch Harry Potter on
the flight to Fiji. Seems strange to get a metal fork and spoon and a proper
glass but only a plastic knife on the plane. Am sure that the other stuff
could do enough damage!
Fiji appears at four o'clock on Monday morning. As we have crossed the
international date line, we lose a day. I choose to stay at a place called
Seashell Cove as it is cheap and arranges trips out to surf the reefs.
The
bus ride takes 50 minutes on some crazy roads.
the ride to Wilkes, with Tavarua in the distance
Almost as soon as we arrive, I'm asked if I want to go surfing. The boat is
leaving in ten minutes, I'm told. I grab my stuff and off we go.
We race
past Tavarua Island, very exclusive at 3000 dollars US for two weeks and
the famous breaks of Cloudbreak and Restaurants, only surfable if you live on
the island.
Wilkes, going off and almost empty
We arrive at a place called Wilke's Passage. It says it is suitable for
beginners though it's huge by English standards, about double overhead and
very gnarly.
I have a few waves though sit somewhat away from the peak, valuing
my life!
sunset - Seashell Cove
sunset - Seashell Cove
sunset - Seashell Cove
The next few days are spent chilling and surfing though Wilke's still concerns
me somewhat. Today one board gets broken and a leash goes leaving two guys
swimming in rather concerning conditions. The guy whose leash goes has
surfed Wilke's three times and has already broken two boards!
We head back after the surf and get the local bus to town, for some mailing.
That's all for now. Will mail again soon.
Seeya,
Halesy